This is that time of the year when we revisit all the lessons learned and celebrate all accomplishments in the past 12 months. With 2018 just around the corner, we at Scout Aerial often catch ourselves discussing which projects were most challenging, which gave us the best media exposure, which provided us with the best opportunities to learn and improve as a company. These are fun and constructive moments we spend with the team, allowing us to grow stronger and be ready for 2018.

Perhaps the most common type of project we delivered in 2017 was volumetric assessments for landfills. We surveyed 6 different sites throughout the year, with sizes varying from 30 all the way up to 250 hectares. There were 12 missions, resulting in a total flight time of more than 700 minutes. Most of the them involved RGB imagery collection (for photogrammetric processing), but there were also LiDAR sensors involved. Let’s not forget about capturing ground control points (GCPs) with precision GNSS stations, for improved accuracy: our crew recorded more than 100 GCPs.

In terms of photogrammetric, point cloud and GIS processing of the collected data, we logged around 400 hours. A bold sum of hours for a comprehensive list of deliverables:

• Georeferenced orthorectified imagery and mosaics;
• Thinned point clouds, with vegetation and other objects classified;
• Georeferenced Digital Surface Models and Digital Terrain Models;
• Contour extraction;
• Topographic analysis of the terrain;
• Detailed engineering plans, in two different coordinate systems;
• Comprehensive volumetric assessments, considering every single active landfill cell and stockpile.

Some deliverable examples are displayed below:

Some of those landfill sites were surveyed in regular periods of approximately 35 days, giving us the opportunity to experience the intensive earth and waste movement in a landfill operation, in such a brief period of time. The following animation illustrates this:

These projects highlighted how complex a landfill operation is, and how RPAS (drones) can help on that, giving a fresh perspective of the managed site in a matter of a few days, at a fraction of the price usually spent on manned aircraft based surveys.

Scout Aerial has been working on an automated shark detection algorithm for the past twelve months and this report details some of the results that were achieved during testing. Due to the innovative approach to this project, Scout Aerial needed a lot of sample data in order to build a baseline algorithm. Once we have identified the data requirements, and have developed a machine learning tool for this algorithm, we can then build a solution that is scalable and suited to the shark management process. By undertaking a pilot project, we are able to collect the data required, identify the particular environments (type and state), build a base algorithm and understand the scale requirements.

The main focus has been on training the algorithm which is an extremely manual process. A team of four pilots, two aircraft and supporting hardware and software was sent to test the real-time system.

We also have been working on the hardware design so that it may be attached to any RPA and will be fit-for-purpose.  The hardware can be offered in multiple configurations or “as-required” (multispectral, RGB, NIR,) and we will collect different data samples in order to “train” the base algorithm in “layers” to make it more accurate over time.

In regards to developing an algorithm,  the required specification aids in the identification and reduction of subconscious biases. By using an algorithm, decision making becomes a more rational process.

In additional to making the process more rational, use of an algorithm will make the process more efficient and more consistent. Efficiency is an inherent result of the analysis and specification process. Consistency comes from both the use of the same specified process and increased skill in applying the process. An algorithm develops and becomes “self-learning” over time, meaning a constant improvement in efficiency. The very first step to developing an algorithm is the collection of data that will be used as the foundation to build it.

Step 1a: Select dataset for training, historical and actual

Step 1b: The smaller part of the dataset is considered for testing.

Step 2a: The training dataset is passed to an ML algorithm like Linear Regression.

Step 2b: The testing dataset is populated and kept ready for evaluating.

Step 3a: The algorithm is applied to each data point from the training dataset.

Step 3b: The parameters are then applied to the test dataset to compare the outcome.

Step 3c: This process is iterated till the algorithm generates values that are a close match to the test data.

Step 4: The final model is evolved with the right set of parameters tuned for the given dataset.

Step 5: The model is used in production to predict based on the new data points.

The data output can be in many forms. We have chosen SMS with an Alert and geolocation, this can be attached to a KML and opened immediately in Google Earth. This can easily be pushed into an App if required. See below an example:

Get in contact with us today if you are interested in getting an algorithm or computer vision system developed to reduce your workload. Once developed, these tools can increase your efficiency drastically. Using technology to create change for the better, get onboard!

The drone industry has evolved remarkably in the past few years, with a vast number of companies emerging from this exciting revolution. To make things even more attractive, civil aviation authorities from several countries (including Australia) are opting for less restrictive rules when it comes down to flying sub-2Kg aircraft not above 400 feet.

We support this move as a necessary stage of the maturity process that the RPAS industry is undergoing. It will ultimately strengthen the drone services market, as only the most experienced, safety-oriented and reliable operators will make their way through to the top. However, we are very concerned about unprofessional services being delivered in the interim, blurring the benefits that the RPAS industry can offer.

We were recently approached by a client who had engaged with an operator with little experience with complex operations. He was really disappointed with the results obtained for a project with the following requirements:

• Survey 3.7Km of water canals, to map the embankments between -0.6m and 1.6m (MSL);
• Lay and measure ground control points in the area, to ensure high accuracy
• Data collection on low tides was a strong requirement, as it was necessary to maximise the exposure of the formed banks;
• Conduct safe and compliant flights over a densely populated neighbourhood;
• Generate a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the area, removing all built structures over water and connected to the banks, such as jetties and pontoons, and all stationary watercraft;
• Generate a high-definition orthomosaic of area.

Obviously, a challenging project. After all, there are 160 pontoons in that area. Yet, it is totally achievable if the right software, techniques and skills are employed.

We happened to have access to part of the deliverables previously sent to the client, and the results speak for themselves:

In a project requiring proper engineering rigor, delivering a DTM in which vegetation is still influencing surface modelling is definitely not a good sign.

Scout Aerial engaged to conduct all new flight operations and imagery processing steps. Not even the ground control point marks laid by the former operator could be reused, as they were too small for proper imagery georeferencing. The image below shows some GCP measurement locations (white crosses). You can probably see one straight away (laid by Scout Aerial surveyors). Now try to find the other ones laid by the former operator:

Interested to see the difference? See below some samples of our work:

Do you have a similar problem? Contact us now and have it solved the right way.

It is no news that remotely piloted aircraft are revolutionising the way companies are undertaking periodic inspections on their critical assets. Gone are the days when people had to risk their lives approaching high-voltage power lines, climbing 100-meters high wind turbines or hanging on a bridge over dangerous waters, trying to locate missing bolts, cracks, water leaks and rust, while trying to balance risk factors and minimising safety hazards.

Scout Aerial is part of this revolution, delivering extremely detailed asset inspections, combining the benefits of aerial images, videos and 3D modelling, thanks to our:

• State-of-the-art RPAS and specialised sensors (including LiDAR and thermal cameras), dual-screen visualisation and GNSS-based navigation;
• Highly trained and certified RPA pilots;
• Experienced 3D modelling and GIS specialists;
• Powerful graphic processing servers.

We had the opportunity to partner with one of the main water supply and sewerage service providers operating in Queensland, in a project to inspect the main assets in one of its facilities: a water tower and a reservoir. Although located in a relatively small area, the inspected site required careful planning, due to unique characteristics:

• The water tower contained several RF antennas and transmitters installed around its structure. They literally created an invisible shield around 20% of its structure, in which our aircraft could not operate;
• Presence of a 30-meters high power transmission tower just beside the reservoir, that not only created a physical obstacle to lower flights but also was a potential source of electromagnetic interference for the communication channel between our ground stations and the aircraft;
• Dense, high vegetation near both structures, creating additional obstacles to close flights.

Risk assessments were thoroughly reviewed with the client. Flight grid paths and our own no-fly zones were defined to guarantee a safe operation. Imagery capture spots were planned to ensure enough proper coverage of all areas of interest in the inspection and allow for the 3D reconstruction. To counterbalance all obstacles affecting proper aerial coverage, our ground team also made sure to complement the captured dataset with enough photos from the ground.

Back to the office, time for some classifying over the inspection imagery before shipping the dataset to the client.

This was also the moment for heating up our graphic servers’ processors and reconstruct realistic 3D models of the two scoped structures using only photos as inputs. For those who love to do this, fun time!

The resulting 3D models will allow engineers working for our client to plan maintenance and improvements without leaving their desks:

Want to integrate aerial asset inspections in your operation? Contact us today and we will be more than happy to help you get the most out of this revolution.

Aerial surveying and Geographical Information Science (GIS) are powerful tools for many industries and activities. Mining and construction companies can benefit from topographic products such as digital elevation models (DSMs and DTMs) and contours built from high-resolution imagery or LiDAR scanning. Crops can be monitored using multi-spectral sensors and GIS algorithms that will spot problems in water distribution, Chlorophyll content and nutrient levels, to name a few. Thermal cameras are handy when locating animals hidden in the densest forests, fire hazards and even power line damage that can lead entire towns and cities to a blackout situation.

One of our clients recently gave us a thrilling yet challenging opportunity to showcase our aerial surveying and GIS capabilities: survey its remote cattle stations to produce high-definition, updated imagery and video, supply CAD drafting and design work for the yards, and a catalogue with the main assets at each site. The objective was to allow the client’s asset managers to use the CAD drawings and catalogues to assist in the planning of infrastructure renovation and expansion in each station.

Some interesting facts that made this project special to us:

• More than 10 homesteads and almost 65 stockyards surveyed in 14 days;
• The sites were spread within approximately 16 thousand square kilometres of Australian territory, across two major states (Queensland and Northern Territory);
• Requirement to deliver very high resolution imagery (GSDs down to 1 cm), necessary for accurate CAD drawing;
• Turnaround time of just a few weeks.

Cattle stations across Queensland and the Northern Territory

After days of planning, risk assessment, equipment preparation and checks, approvals for flying near aerodromes (most stations have their own strips) it was time to hit the road (and the skies, thanks to a Cessna 182). In 14 days, the team travelled thousands of kilometres through the northern Australian grasslands and captured 140GB in high-resolution photos and 40GB of 4K video footage.

Trucks, our main ground transport option between cattle stations

Back to the office, time to process all imagery and turn it into actionable data. Orthomosaics, DSMs, Google Earth tiles and, most importantly, CAD drafting were produced by our specialists and handed out right on time to the client. See above examples of deliverables.

Orthorectified imagery

High-resolution orthomosaic

Digital Surface Model

Cattle station drafted

Do you have a similar project in mind? Want to successfully integrate remotely piloted aircraft into your operation?  We would love to help you turn your idea into practical results. Contact us today.